The newest season of The Biggest Loser hit Australian screens this week, and since then, it’s been all anybody has talked about.
The biggest topic of discussion? The inclusion of Nikki, a 25-year-old mum whose started weight is just 78kg.
Many viewers were confused at how a woman who weighs just 7kg more than the average Australian woman could be featured on a show where the winner is determined by who can lose the most weight in a set amount of time.
Women who weigh the same as Nikki – who said her partner hadn’t seen her naked in three years – said that seeing her on the show made them feel insecure about their own body image.
"If I weigh the same as Nikki, does that also mean I need to go on a weight loss show?" one woman wrote.
But the show's current trainers, past contestants and even other viewers have emphasised that this season of the show is all about the "total transformation".
"Firstly, I think it was noticeable for everybody straight away was the contestants are so much smaller than what we’ve had in the past," one of the show's trainers, Shannan Ponton, told Mamamia.
“The smallest girl [Nikki] is only 78 kilos as her starting weight. But her weight was affecting her life massively. She wouldn’t go out in public, and people might look at her and say ‘Oh, she’s only got to lose 10 or 15 kilos'.
"If you feel uncomfortable because you're five kilograms or 50 kilograms overweight, it doesn't matter - you still have that feeling."
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It's a sentiment echoed by the show's network, Channel Ten, saying Nikki's weight struggles are "relatable".
"Nikki is the smallest of our contestants and relatable as a new mum who wants to get her life and health back on track," a Channel Ten spokesperson said in a statement to Mamamia.
"She says her weight has been a constant issue that gets in the way of her relationship and has led to a lack of self-confidence.
"According to her body mass index, which is based on her weight and height, it is suggested a healthy weight for Nikki is 15-20kgs lighter."
Ponton said that it was important to remember that Nikki's transformation would be about "mind, body and soul".
"We want to give people the skills they need to transform their lives," he said.
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Top Comments
The whole psychological side of things, is obviously more of focus and this is probably the most important aspects that in past reality weight loss shows, has been either ignored or minimised, and the reality is that if the inside doesn't match with the outside results, people often end up after these shows, often packing the weight back on, and more because the emotional and psychological aspects of the desire to lose the weight have not been fully addressed. Which is sad and would cause a huge amount of distress for the unfortunate contestants that are may be misled into thinking that just losing the weight is all that needs to be done. There is a lot of work and adjustment to be done, prior to and through the whole process, of even what seems like a minimal weight loss for some people, body image for most young women is a tricky and mine laden area that many quietly struggle with throughout their lives. This is a real opportunity to help send not only positive imagery and encouragement for others, but also display kinder, more positive affirmation for those that continue to struggle with their sense of self & how it's projected into the world
I say good on them it's been a long time coming.
She is overweight, and losing weight will be good for her physical and mental health. It's bizarre that people can't recognise what is truly a healthy weight anymore! I wish her the best on the show, and hope she comes out of it feeling far healthier and happier!